Saturday morning was Manteo’s Annual Christmas Parade.
Steve got dressed in a non-noticeable, low key, dignified pastoral ensemble.
Since the parade goes right by the front of our church and a lot of people park in our lot and watch from the lawn, we passed out free water bottles just to say, “Howdy, neighbors!”
Here is Steve with one of members, Ada. She makes a magnificent flan every year for our Dare Challenge guys.
Sarah is always happy to get to stand next to an adult woman who is about her same size.
The guy in the (non alarming) hat is Mark. He and I are the church youth group leaders.
Sarah has her patient look on.
Here’s Bibber, another fabulous church member. If there is something to be done, cleaned, or cooked, Bibber is first in line to help. What a sweetheart!
Juanita is also a church member and just wrote a delightful children’s book. I wrote a post about her husband’s last days here. It’s one of my favorite pieces.
A nice traditional family pose–if you can just ignore the hat.
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!
Sarah had to leave just as the parade was getting started since she had to go to work, come back to Manteo for a biology study group and then go back to work till 8 p.m. She is one busy little lady. I really appreciated her getting over to the church to help set up the water display when she had so much else going on.
A few quick scenes from a small town, southern parade.
Our church is very supportive of the veterans in town; in fact, two of our members, Billy and Marsha, work hard every single day to make sure our veterans get their benefits and get all the help they deserve.
Patty, another church member, is a veteran and was excited about riding in her first float, ever.
Here’s Tammy, who goes to our church.
Jelly fish! 
Love having nautically themed displays as a nod to where we live.
And lastly, a few photos of the dinner I spoke and sang at Saturday night. (If I find that anyone took a photo of me, I’ll post it later.)
Such a lovely table.
And a neighboring table.
Parades and plates! (And wacky hats.) Such a merry time of the year.
Becky, thank you for all the neat, interesting things you share with us. I truly love reading every one of your posts! What a fun parade! Love the family picture too! What a wonderful church family you all have.
Blessings and love always! XOX
When I lived in Tampa, I worked with a Cuban lady who made the best flan – would love to have a piece of it now. At 5′, I feel Sarah’s pain, most people are taller than me. My 16 year old nieces are both much taller than me – one is almost as tall as her dad and he’s 6′. Long arms and fingers is great for playing piano, violin and tennis and she does all very well. My hometown in southwest Missouri had their Christmas parade this past Saturday. I wasn’t able to attend but it’s usually a nice parade.
Phyllis,
Yes, flan is a rare treat; Ada is the only person I know who makes it. And it’s the real deal flan, too. Yum!
And yes, your niece’s “long-ness” will definitely be a benefit in the things she is pursuing! 🙂
Such fun looking at the pictures. Steve sure makes an impression and knows how to do it. Sarah looked cute in the hat, too. Dinner pictures are elegant. Wow! Dogs are not allowed at our parade which was yesterday but I did not go.
Ann,
Yes, Steve loves to make a dramatic impression. 🙂 I was glad our parade allowed dogs. They also had members of the SPCA carrying dogs in the parade that needed to be adopted.
Love the parade pic and Steve’s hat. Sarah looks great. We don’t have any Christmas parades up here in DC, as far as I know. I was wondering if you ever take Summer on any of your daily outings? Or to work at the church? Would she even like it, or would it be too much for her? The Basset made me think of a Christmas sweater on Summer, and my brain took over from there, lol.
Lesley,
Recently Steve brought her by my office at church after picking her up from the groomer. She ran up and down the aisles of the church and sniffed every corner of my office. It was a great adventure. She is very ill at ease around loud noise and commotion and gets a little fearful even if she is outside and the wind blows a leaf. 🙂 Whereas Snowy was always up for a big adventure, Summer has to have her own personal adventures doled out in small quantities.
Thanks, I enjoyed seeing the picture’s of the Parade and Pastor Steve being Pastor Steve! I have a couple of ideas for his hat. If I can figure out how to attach I will. Otherwise, I will e-Mail it to the Smith Family.
John,
You have got quite the creative brain!
I love the two tables! I’m assuming all were different? How clever and fun!
The parade looks like it was wonderful – love the photos and the insights into “your” people!
~Stefanie in St. Louis
Stefanie,
Yes, each table was decorated by a different hostess with a completely different theme. I was impressed by all the creativity!
Glad you enjoyed “meeting” some of our people. It occurred to me after I posted that most everyone I featured was over 50 but we have plenty of teens, singles, and young families, too. 🙂
That parade looks like so much fun and you had beautiful weather for it too! The shark looks like he is eating the roof of the house. 🙂
Your table was so pretty….that cobalt blue is my very favorite color of blue and I decorate and accent with it in my home. Love!!
LeeAnne,
You have a creative eye. I never would have made the house-eating shark connection. Too funny!
I know–the cobalt was a gorgeous color on that table. I’ve never decorated with it but it is stunning.
what a fun parade! I always wanted be on a float.
my favorite has to be the basset hound… i actually have matching pjs.
Mrs. Pam,
That basset hound looked like he was having the time of his life. 🙂 Made me smile.